NICOSIA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Cyprus burst into celebration on Thursday after soccer champions Anorthosis Famagusta became the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League group stage.

The Cypriots lost 1-0 to Greece's Olympiakos on Wednesday
night, but finished 3-1 on aggregate after their stunning 3-0
first leg win in Larnaca two weeks ago.

Thousands of jubilant fans lined the streets outside
Cyprus's Larnaca airport on Thursday to welcome the team flying
back from Athens.

'A small team from a small country is in the Champions
League... as far as I'm concerned, these guys have already
won,' said Anorthosis coach Temuri Ketsbaia, praising his
players.

Known locally as the 'Big Lady' of Cypriot football,
Anorthosis has clinched the Cyprus league title 13 times and
the Cyprus FA Cup 10 times since its establishment in 1911.

It has effectively been playing in exile since 1974, since
its home base of Famagusta was seized by Turkish forces in an
invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. The island
has been divided since.

It pioneered a recruitment drive for more professional
players in the 1990s, and is the only Greek Cypriot soccer club
to now own its own stadium, in Larnaca.